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Governance

The Officers and Directors are responsible for the Federations strategic direction and are either appointed to the BATF Board by their respective trade associations or elected by the Members, all are non-executive Directors.

The Officers:

Michael Sweeney – President

Michael is the Co-founder of NPW (Natural Products,Worldwide Co.) Natural Products was formed to bring L'Occitane to the U.K. in 1992 and went on as NPW To design and source Giftware and Toiletries for sale in the U.K. U.S.A. & Europe. Michael has over 35 years experience in the Gift and Jewellery industries and was Chairman of the Giftware association between 2010/2012.

Kate Owen - Deputy President
Co founder of Opal London, home of all that is best in body and bath products. Kate has over 30 years experience in the giftware industry and has spent 10 years on the Giftware Assocation's National Committee. Kate was appointed to the BATF Board in 2010.

Gary Wroe - Vice PresidentGary started working in the casting shop of Hockley Mint as an assistant at the age of 16 and has climbed the company ladder gaining valuable knowledge and skills. With over 29 years of experience, Gary plays an active role in helping to advance the company in both the manufacturing and sales of the Group. Gary’s hard work was commended in 2006 when he became the Group Managing Director of the companies. Gary has helped to develop and expand the company, employing over 100 members of experienced staff. In 2012, Gary joined the British Jewellers' Association as a co-opted member and was elected as a member of the Training Committee. Gary is now Deputy Co-Chairman of the National Association of jewellers.

The Directors:

Mike Hughes - Director
Mike is the owner and Managing Director of JewelCast Ltd a jewellery casting company, he is also the co-owner of Kate+Co Ltd, a commercial recruitment company, with branches in Solihull and Stratford upon Avon. Mike was elected to the BATF Board in 2009.

Sangat Chandhok – Director
Appointed to the BATF Board by the Jewellery Distributors Association (JDA) in 2008. Sangat’s company Newcom Distributors Ltd wholesales branded watches. He started the Eton brand in 1986 and now distributes the Seiko, ODM, Kool Time and Philip Persio brands.

Robert Wills – Director
Robert joined the BTAA in 1976, he has had a successful and varied career in the leathergoods and accessories industry for over 40 years. As Chairman and Managing Director for Arnold Wills & Co Limited, manufacturer of mens and ladies fashion accessories and gifts, Robert joined the BATF Board in 2010. He is also a past Chairman of the BTAA.

Mike Burgess - Parlane Ltd
Mike Burgess is the managing director of Parlane international, suppliers of stylish home accessories. The company has two showrooms in the UK, a southern European office and a showroom in Barcelona, a mid European office in Germany and an office in Hong Kong. Previously Mike was Managing Director of Sia UK and Product Manager for Parlane International which he now owns with his wife Caroline. He has served on the GA National Committee since 2004.

Paul Thandi - NEC Group
Paul is the chief executive of the NEC group, which operates the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and LG Arena in Solihull, and the International Convention Centre (ICC) AND National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham. As chief executive of the NEC group, Paul lead the executive board of the UK’s largest and most high profile venue management company.

Stephen Parkes - Stephen Parkes Consultancy
Stephen began his 50 years in metal finishing as a management trainee and then production engineer at Tube Investments gaining an HND. He left to take over the family firm, L B Parkes & Co which he ran for 40 years until selling to a group and retiring. Well not exactly retiring as he continues to be active in the industry as an independent consultant in which capacity he has conducted a number of overseas investigations on behalf of the DTI relating to metal finishing. Stephen is currently Chairman of the Surface Engineering Association.

Andrew Hinds – F Hinds

Andrew has been a director of F Hinds, a multiple jewellery retailer with 118 shops across England & Wales since 1989. F Hinds traces its history back to Joseph Hinds, a clockmaker in Stamford in the first half of the 18th century. Andrew is one of the 6th generation of the Hinds family in the business. He is responsible for sourcing the diamonds and diamond jewellery and was the Chairman of the National Association of Jewellers when it merged with the British Jewellers Association and joined the Federation. He is also a member of the British Hallmarking Council.

John Henn - T A Henn

John is the Company Director of T A Henn. He joined the company as the 6th generation in the Henn family in 1981 aged 19 working alongside his father. Over the years he has accrued an extensive knowledge of this specialist industry through qualifications and major roles in the trade industry, which he continues to take part in.